Dittons Skiff and Punting Club - Thames Ditton | UK Rowing Clubs | Row HQ

Dittons Skiff and Punting Club is a member-run club at Albany Reach, Queen's Road, Thames Ditton. It offers traditional Thames skiffing and punting, from social outings and longer meanders to racing against other local clubs.

The club was formed on 24 October 1923 at Long Ditton Parish Hall and initially used Hammerton's boathouse in Ferry Road. Its committee agreed on 10 December that year to hold a Boxing Day scratch regatta, a fixture the club says continues today.

Skiffs are used as single and double sculling boats with a cox, and the club teaches newcomers to row in them. Its Sunday junior section accepts children from age ten, teaching skiffing, coxing and river safety, with punting offered during suitable summer conditions.

Members have access to rowing machines, a multi-gym and free weights. The clubhouse has a bar, kitchen, club room and balcony, and the club runs a year-round social calendar alongside its water programme.

Dittons established an early reputation in both skiffing and punting competition. The Hampton Court and Dittons Regatta began in 1888, before the club itself, and continued until the Second World War; the current club again lists that regatta in its programme.

The club's other recorded fixtures include its own regatta, long-distance singles races and the Tiny and Nancy Knight long-distance event. Its history also records local competition at Kingston Borough and Teddington Reach.